ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota House Democrats are hoping to ease uncertainty created by a call to cut $150 million from state health and social service budgets by vowing increased payments to nursing homes and similar caregivers.

House Health and Human Services Finance Committee Chairman Thomas Huntley and other Democrats made the pledge Thursday. They didn’t say how much of an increase nursing home and long-term care workers could expect. Their pay depends on rates set by the state and money it provides.

The contingent also avoided saying what else in the health and welfare budget areas would face cuts or surcharges to compensate for their long-term care commitment. Even small cost of living increases for those workers add up to tens of millions of dollars.